Top Stays is a program for selected Emerging Travel Group accommodation options. This article details each of the advantages the program entails and the conditions for participating in it.
Why join the Top Stays program
Participating in this program will help you rise above your competitors and enjoy 50% to 100% more views. Combined with the high conversion rate that comes with it (one of the conditions for joining the program) this will result in an increase in your total bookings.
Here’s what you get when you join:
Priority rankings in your city’s search output: A smart algorithm determines how to position your accommodation in the search results in order to produce up to 100% more views for you on three different sites at once: ZenHotels, RateHawk, and Roundtrip.
The TOP badge on your accommodation’s profile page, which will catch users’ eye, help you stand out from the pack, and testify to your excellent service level.
Please note: getting a boost in the search results does not mean that you will permanently be placed on a particular page. The program’s goal is not to raise your accommodation option to a particular ranking, but to place it in the results in such a way as to ensure you the highest possible number of views.
Regular analysis: Monitor your program results in a special section of your online account and analyze your growth in views grow as well as how that’s converting to sales.
Which accommodation options are able to join the program
The Top Stays program is available for accommodation options that have completed at least one reconciliation and confirmed at least 10 booking stays for Emerging Travel Group Extranet.
In order to join the program and remain a member, you will need to maintain the following indicators:
High conversion: this means a high rate of successful bookings per 1,000 views. Participation in the program is only available to the top 30% of accommodation options in terms of the highest conversion rate for their city.
Please note: room availability is taken into account in calculating the conversion rate. To ensure that the conversion rate is sufficient to participate in the program, you need to ensure availability for at least 100 days in advance.
Low incident level: Incidents which are the fault of the accommodation (such as overbooking) should account for nor more than 5% of total bookings. However, we advise not allowing such situations to arise at all if possible — even one incident per 100 bookings can negatively impact your accommodation’s reputation.
High rating: an at least 8/10 average rating from our sites’ users. In order to motivate guests to submit reviews, you can print a special notice and place it on your reception desk.
A wide pricing matrix: this essentially means offering a variety of rates and special deals. Rates in Extranet should be competitive in relation to rates with similar conditions (cancelation and meal conditions) available on other public resources.
No overdue commission payments.
If your accommodation meets all the above criteria, a personal offer to join the program will appear on your online account.
Important: If the indicators have recently improved to the desired values, you will be able to connect the program after the 2nd day of the following month, when the data is updated in our system.
For example, if a property’s rating increases on June 20, the data will be updated on July 2, and you will be able to connect to the program.
How to join the program
Go to the Promotions section, Top Stays tab..
Ensure that your accommodation meets all the criteria to join the program. If there are indicators you need to improve, you will see tips appear.
Study the online agreement and toggle the Connect Top Stays switch to the right — its color will change to pink.
If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact your account manager or the support service.
How to leave the program
If your accommodation ceases to meet the criteria for the requirements, we will send you a notification. After that, you will have 30 days to restore the indicators to the required level and continue participating in the program. If the indicators are brought back into accordance with the standards, the program will be deactivated for you.
If you choose to leave the program yourself, toggle the Connect Top Stays switch to the left.
Please note that if you decide to quit the program voluntarily, you will not be able to rejoin for a period of six months. However, if your accommodation was disconnected from the program due to failing to meet the criteria, there is no such restriction — as soon as your indicators improve to the necessary level, you will be able to join Top Stays once again.